"So this is where you girls disappeared to." A woman said walking over to the table. Sara could instantly recognise her as the girls' mother.

"You can't exactly call it disappearing if we left you a note." Stacey countered.

"Are you behaving yourselves?"

"Don't we always?" Lara-Jo countered.

"That's debatable."

"So Dad's still not home." Stacey said.

"No. When did he leave?"

"Around three." Stacey replied.

"I'm sure he'll be back at some point. I'm sorry we haven't met. Erin Stokes."

"Sara Sidle." Sara shook her hand.

"Nick's fiancée. Sorry I've been up all night."

"Don't worry I'm used to working nights." Sara said.

"So any interesting cases Mom?" Lara-Jo inquired.

"A couple heart attacks and drug overdose. Nothing that interesting tonight."

"Doc Robbins likes nights like that." Sara said.

"Doc Robbins? He's your forensic pathologist?" Erin guessed.

"Medical Examiner, yes. Great guy, hates decomps as much as the rest of us."

"It's trying to get the smell out that's the problem."

"The sale of lemons goes up considerably when we have one."

"Beats the ones for all the drinks they sell in all the bars and casinos."

"True." Sara smiled.

"So where is one of my favourite brother-in-laws?" Erin inquired.

"Grandma sent him shopping a couple hours ago." Stacey supplied.

"He'll be back soon." Erin said.

"If you swap those two figures around, you're done." Sara pointed to the end of Stacey's homework.

"Thank you Sara."

"Not a problem." Sara smiled.

"Hey girls I thought you might like some iced-tea… Oh Erin I didn't realise you were here."

"Just came by to check on the kids. I was going to come in a few minutes." Erin said.

"It's okay, it's a nice day and you just got of work."

"What time did you want us over tomorrow?" Erin inquired.

"Come over at around noon."

A car pulled up a few minutes later.

"I guess Nicholas is back." Jillian said. "I'll see you all later."

"I'll come and say goodbye before I head home." Erin told her.

"Bye girls."

"Bye Grandma." The echoed.

"Hello ladies." Nick said when he came outside ten minutes carrying a bag.

"Hey Nicky." Erin gave him a hug. "You look well."

"And you look like you've been up all night." Nick winked at her.

"You always were charming." Erin said.

"So did you get lost?" Stacey asked.

"No, thank you very much. Did you do your homework?"

"Yes thank you very much." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Very mature." Lara-Jo commented.

"Hey Lara-Jo. How did you get to be 18 years old already?"

"18 years of being alive." Lara-Jo offered as an explanation.

"And you still have a 4.0 grade point average?"

"Of course."

"Good girl. Hey Sara." He gave her a quick kiss.

"Hey."

"I brought a present." He handed her the bag.

Sara opened it and pulled out a cowboy hat and put it on her head.

TBC